Group Therapy

Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.

Brené Brown

Working with a group can often be more powerful and life-changing than individual therapy.

When you explore the events in your life in relation to others, you realize the commonality of your human experience. Importantly, when people come together under the leadership of a therapist, you can often make significant strides in your personal growth.

Benefits of group therapy include.

Support from group members.
With group therapy, you realize that you are not facing emotional issues alone. While your particulars may be unique, the deep pain, plaguing thoughts, and self doubt are part of the human condition. You discover that it’s not unusual to feel inadequate or incompetent, or feel incapable of love, or harbor shameful secrets. Group therapy reduces these feelings of isolation and increases the shared sense that “we can work through this together.”

Groups create a setting to give and receive support.
An inaccurate image of group therapy is that each person takes their turn on the stage – receiving support from the therapist – while the others wait and observe. In actuality, group members are actively encouraged to interact and share supportive experiences. The group becomes a vehicle for feedback and connection from your peers. While one member talks, the others actively listen and engage with the presenter. This active engagement is therapeutic in its own right. It decreases the sense of isolation and offers hope and encouragement from a group peer rather than from a clinician.

Working in a group strengthens your voice.
Whether speaking or listening, group members actively become aware of their feelings and needs throughout the session. Because you are encouraged to share these feelings, your sense of self solidifies. You begin to find your voice.

The intimacy of a group teaches healthy relationships.
In the safe space of a working group, members can learn to communicate with authenticity. You get honest feedback from people who are attentive to your feelings and applaud your growth. The group provides a powerful mirror for how you relate to others – are you attentive, impatient, compassionate, or hidden? Do you let yourself be seen, shy from conflict, or advocate for your needs? Group work can readily carry over to your business and personal relationships in a healthy way.

The group provides a supportive connection when you need it most.
We all need to belong — to a family, a cohort, a relationship – but often these primary relationships provide negative feedback. By participating in a group, you can carry this supportive connection throughout the week. It’s easier to take risks and show yourself to others. This is especially important for people dealing with depression or isolation. Having a group is vital when you are going through major life transitions like a divorce or illness.

Group for Young Adults forming!

Creating Your Life Syllabus — A group is forming for young adults in their 20s and 30s who are overwhelmed by life concerns such as transitioning from college to work life, navigating personal and professional relationships, imposter syndrome, comparison, perfectionism, and other young adult stresses.